Bootlegged DSLite a well-made, slightly sloppy forgery

When Jeremy Parish bought an Apple Green DS Lite from a "seemingly reputable" eBay seller, subtle details on the handheld didn't seem quite right.

In an illustrated diary-like entry over at 1UP, Parish takes a positive approach - "at least I know how to spot a bootleg now."

He explains how things seemed off as soon as he opened the parcel, including the "texture and construction of the box" and oddly-pixelated text printed on the back. It wasn't until he opened the corrugated cardboard box that he realised the truth.

"There was no question once I actually looked at the unit," Parish writes. "This is a complete fake. It's an amazing fake to be sure, but definitely not a legit system."

Rather than storm around the apartment, breaking things and vowing never to purchase anything online ever again, Parish took a deep breath and decided to share his experiences, in the hope that it may help others spot fakes.

Keep an eye out for "pock-marked" or discoloured plastic, which doesn't meet manufacturer's usually-high standards. Edges which don't quite meet flush is another giveaway, along with mis-aligned text, and other relatively subtle cosmetic flaws.

For what it's worth, the console is "practically perfect", Parish explains. It feels the same, and - importantly - it all works. Of course, there's no after-purchase Nintendo support, and no guarantee that it will continue to work, but - in the short term at least - this is one of the better bootleg stories we've heard.

Thanks, Jeremy, for sharing your story!